Ronaldo's sister backs him by taking aim at Fernandes after Portugal's DR Congo draw

Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their World Cup 2026 Group K opener in Houston on Wednesday, with Roberto Martinez’s side failing to convert 75 per cent of possession into a winning goal — and both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes drawing sharp criticism for their performances.

Joao Neves gave Portugal the lead with a sixth-minute header, but Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa equalised to leave the European giants with just a point from their opening match. Portugal managed only three shots on target across the entire game, and Ronaldo — who stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes — registered just 25 touches.

The scrutiny extended beyond the pitch when Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, ‘liked’ an Instagram post from a Brazilian page that read: “This one here is the Raphinha for Portugal. Too much popcorn for the national team” — accompanied by a photo of Fernandes. The gesture was widely interpreted as a pointed comment on the Manchester United captain’s display.

Portugal fans were equally vocal about Ronaldo’s peripheral role. “Ronaldo just gets in the way, and only those who don’t want to see it won’t,” one supporter wrote on X. “It’s ridiculous that he has a guaranteed place in the national team.” Another added: “Ronaldo just sits in the box waiting for a miracle ball that never arrives.”

With seven minutes remaining, Martinez chose to withdraw Vitinha and introduce Goncalo Ramos rather than substitute Ronaldo — a decision that drew criticism from pundit Chris Sutton. “He is scared to take him off,” Sutton said. “He is not the manager. He might score the winner, but the game passed him by. He is a brilliant player. He was once the playmaker, but now he is the poacher — and he runs the estate. I don’t understand some of his management. Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager.”

Martinez defended his call, arguing that removing a player of Ronaldo’s calibre while chasing a winner made little tactical sense. “We were finding it difficult because they were playing in a back six,” the Portugal head coach said. “It makes no sense to get a player like Cristiano out of the game where you need goals. The way he attracts defenders and uses space is valuable. When you need goals, you need a player like Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch.”

Portugal next face Uzbekistan as they look to recover from a result that has already raised uncomfortable questions about their squad management and the role of their all-time leading scorer.